Fastener Stringer and Slide Fastener

ABSTRACT

For this fastener stringer, at least two stitching lines configured of stitching thread are disposed along the longitudinal direction of a tape on one surface side of the fastener elements. Each of the stitching lines has a stitch at least every two pitches of the fastener elements in the longitudinal direction of the tape and the stitches of each line are disposed so as to deviate from the stitches of the adjacent line, by at least one pitch of the fastener elements in the longitudinal direction of the tape. The fastener stringer thereby has superior fastener element dimensional precision, stitch line abrasion resistance, and flexibility. The multiple stitch lines can be made to look like a tape fabric to be inconspicuous. Moreover, in producing the fastener stringer, a stitching process of the fastener element can be performed efficiently and stably.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a fastener stringer in which a continuity-shaped fastener element is sealed along a tape-side edge of a fastener tape by a stitching thread and a slide fastener having a pair of the fastener stringers at left and right sides thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

A fastener stringer for a slide fastener is configured in such a manner that fastener elements are attached to a woven or knitted narrow fastener tape to form an element row. Further, in general, as one of the fastener elements forming the element row, a continuity-shaped fastener element acquired by forming a monofilament in a coil shape or a zigzag shape has been known.

For example, a fastener element which is formed in a coil shape generally has a coupling head, a pair of upper and lower legs that extend in a tape width direction from the coupling head, and a connecting portion (may be called an inverting portion) connecting an upper leg and a lower leg between adjacent fastener elements in the longitudinal direction of the tape. As such, the continuity-shaped fastener element is configured.

In the coil-shaped fastener element, the upper and lower legs are stitched along a tape-side edge of the fastener tape by a dual circular rod of a stitching thread while a core thread is inserted between the upper and lower legs.

The stitching thread used to stitch the upper and lower legs to the fastener tape includes a looper thread configured to press the upper and lower legs of each of the fastener elements from a surface side (a top side of the upper leg) and a needle thread disposed on a rear surface side of the fastener tape, and configured to stitch the fastener tape every pitch of the fastener element and interlace with the looper thread. The fastener elements are stitched to the fastener tape by the stitching thread, and as a result, one row of stitching lines configured by the stitching thread is formed along the longitudinal direction of the tape on the surface of the fastener element.

Further, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 51-90645 (Patent Document 1) discloses a fastener stringer 60 illustrated in FIG. 12. In the fastener stringer 60 of Patent Document 1, a fastener element 61 is stitched to a fastener tape 63 by two rows of stitching lines 64 in order to stably stitch a coil-shaped fastener element 61 to the fastener tape 63 by a stitching thread 62. A slide fastener is configured by using a pair of fastener stringers 60 configured as above.

In addition, the stitching lines 64 configuring each row are respectively configured by a dual circular rod of the stitching thread 62. A needle thread of the stitching thread 62 is interlaced with a looper thread of the stitching thread 62 while forming a stitch 65 by stitching the fastener tape 63 every pitch of the fastener element 61, in order to solidly seal the fastener element 61.

Thus the coil-shaped fastener element 61 is sealed to the fastener tape 63 by the two rows of the stitching lines 64, and as a result, the position of the fastener element 61 is difficult to deviate in the longitudinal direction of the tape, thereby increasing dimensional precision of the fastener element 61.

Further, in the fastener stringer 60, since the two rows of the stitching lines 64 are formed on the surface of the fastener element 61, when the slide fastener is configured by using the fastener stringer 60, the stitching thread 62 contacting a slider is difficult to cut although the slider is repeatedly slid, and as a result, abrasion resistance of the stitching line 64 can be improved.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.     51-90645

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

There are many cases in which the coil-shaped fastener element is generally appropriately used for a slide fastener which needs flexibility. However, in the configuration of the fastener stringer 60 disclosed in Patent Document 1, the stitches 65 respectively formed on two rows of stitching lines 64 are formed every one pitch of the fastener element 61 in the longitudinal direction of the tape of the fastener tape 63.

Thus two rows of stitching lines 64 are used to seal the fastener element 61 to the fastener tape 63 and moreover, the stitch 65 formed on each of the rows is configured in such a manner that the stitching thread 62 is stitched to the fastener tape 63 every one pitch in the longitudinal direction of the tape. As a result, the density of the stitching thread 62 to the fastener element 61 is consequently increased, and thus the flexibility of the fastener stringer 60 may deteriorate.

Further, when the fastener elements 61 are sealed by two rows of stitching lines 64 as disclosed in Patent Document 1, stitching needs to be performed by making two sewing needles disposed in parallel in forming the two rows of stitching lines 64, respectively to penetrate the fastener tape 63. In addition, two swing needles penetrate the fastener tape 63 every one pitch of the fastener element 61.

However, for example, when the size of the fastener element 61 is small, in the stitching process, it is difficult that two sewing needles penetrate the tape in parallel in the width direction of the tape between the respective fastener elements 61 and in some cases, the sewing needles interfere with each other to cause the sewing needles to be damaged.

Further, in general, in order to achieve high efficiency of the stitching process in manufacturing the fastener stringer, a stitching speed when the fastener element is stitched to the fastener tape is required to be as high as possible. However, like the fastener stringer 60 of Patent Document 1, when stitching is performed by making two sewing needles to penetrate the fastener tape 63 every one pitch of the fastener element 61, the transportation amount of the sewing machine is limited to the size of one pitch of the fastener element 61. As a result, in manufacturing the fastener stringer 60 of Patent Document 1, there is a limit to increase the stitching speed to stitch the fastener element 61, and as a result, it was difficult to achieve advanced efficiency of the stitching process.

Further, in the fastener stringer 60 of Patent Document 1, two rows of stitching lines 64 are formed on the surface of the fastener element 61 and further, the stitch 65 of each of the stitching lines 64 is disposed every one pitch of the fastener element 61. As a result, two rows of stitching lines 64 may be convex or look convex on the fastener element 61 depending on the thickness or material of the stitching thread 62.

In addition, when the slider slides to the convex portion, there is a case in which sliding resistance of the slider is large. Further, when the stitching line 64 is not convex on the fastener element 61, but two rows of stitching lines 64 look convex on the fastener element 61, there was a case in which the fastener element 61 or the stitching line 64 damages designs of, for example, clothes or bags at the time of attaching the slide fastener having the fastener stringer 60 to the clothes or the bags.

The invention has been made by considering the problems in the related art and a detailed object of the invention is to provide a fastener stringer in which dimensional precision of the fastener element, abrasion resistance of the stitching line, and flexibility are excellent, which can prevent the stitching line from being convex or looking convex, improve designability of the fastener stringer, and stitch the fastener element efficiently and stably within a short time, and a slide fastener having the fastener stringer.

Means for Solving the Problems

In order to achieve the object, in a fastener stringer for a slide fastener provided by the invention in which a fastener element having a continuity shape is sealed along a tape-side edge of a fastener tape by a stitching thread,

at least two rows of stitching lines constituted by the stitching thread are disposed on one surface side of the fastener element in the longitudinal direction of a tape, and the stitching lines have stitches in which the stitching thread stitches the fastener tape at least every two pitches of the fastener element in the longitudinal direction of the tape, respectively, and

the stitches formed on the respective rows are disposed to deviate from each other in the longitudinal direction of the tape for at least one pitch of the fastener element between the adjacent rows.

In the fastener stringer according to the invention, the stitching line includes a first stitching line and a second stitching line that are disposed in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the tape, and the first stitching line and the second stitching line are disposed on one surface side of the fastener element sequentially from the coupling head side of the fastener element, and

the stitches formed on the respective rows are disposed every two pitches of the fastener element, respectively, and the stitch of the first stitching line is disposed to deviate from the stitch of the second stitching line by one pitch of the fastener element in the longitudinal direction of the tape.

Further, in the fastener stringer according to the invention, the stitching line includes a first stitching line, a second stitching line, and a third stitching line that are disposed in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the tape and the first stitching line, the second stitching line, and the third stitching line are disposed on one surface side of the fastener element sequentially from a coupling head side of the fastener element, and

the stitches formed on the respective rows are disposed every two pitches of the fastener element, respectively, and the stitch of the second stitching line may be disposed to deviate from the stitch of the first stitching line and the stitch of the third stitching line by one pitch of the fastener element in the longitudinal direction of the tape.

Further, in the fastener stringer according to the invention, the stitching line includes the first stitching line, the second stitching line, and the third stitching line that are disposed in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the tape, and the first stitching line, the second stitching line, and the third stitching line are disposed on one surface side of the fastener element sequentially from the coupling head side of the fastener element, and

the stitches formed on the respective rows are disposed every three pitches of the fastener element, respectively, the stitch of the second stitching line is disposed to deviate from the stitch of the first stitching line by one pitch or two pitches of the fastener element at one side in the longitudinal direction of the tape, and the stitch of the third stitching line may be disposed to deviate from the stitch of the second stitching line by one pitch of the fastener element in the longitudinal direction of the tape and disposed to deviate from the stitch of the first stitching line by two pitches or one pitch of the fastener element at one side in the longitudinal direction of the tape.

Further, in the fastener stringer according to the invention, one of the stitches is preferably disposed between the adjacent fastener elements.

In addition, in the fastener stringer according to the invention, the number of the stitching threads pressing an upper leg of each of the fastener elements is preferably larger than that of the stitching threads shown on the other surface side of the fastener tape, and particularly, each of the stitching lines is preferably configured by a dual circular rod of the stitching thread.

Further, in the fastener stringer according to the invention, colors colored to the respective stitching threads are preferably differently combined in stitching lines which are adjacent to each other. In particular, colors respectively colored to a needle thread and a looper thread constituting each of the stitching threads are preferably differently combined.

In addition, in the fastener stringer according to the invention, the colors colored to the respective stitching threads are preferably the same as each other in the stitching lines which are adjacent to each other. Further, the color colored to the stitching thread and the color colored to the fastener tape are preferably differently combined.

Further, according to the invention, there is provided a slide fastener having a pair of fastener stringers having the above configuration at left and right sides thereof.

Effect of the Invention

In the fastener stringer according to the invention, at least two rows of stitching lines that seal the fastener element to the fastener tape are disposed on one surface side of the fastener element in the longitudinal direction of the tape. As a result, the fastener element does not easily deviate in the longitudinal direction of the tape, and as a result, the dimensional precision of the fastener element can be increased.

Further, since two or more rows of stitching lines in the longitudinal direction of the tape are disposed on the fastener element, the stitching thread contacting the slider is not easily cut although the slider is repeatedly slid when the slide fastener is configured by using the fastener stringer, and as a result, abrasion resistance of the stitching line can be improved.

Further, the stitch that stitches the fastener tape is disposed at least every two pitches of the fastener element throughout the longitudinal direction of the tape in each of the stitching lines of the fastener stringer. As a result, like, for example, the fastener stringer of Patent Document 1, the density of the stitching thread for the fastener element can be configured to be lower and flexibility of the fastener stringer can be increased as compared with the case in which the stitch is disposed every one pitch of the fastener element.

Further, in the fastener stringer of the invention, since the stitch is disposed every two pitches of the fastener element, the transportation amount of the sewing machine can be set to a large value in the stitching process of manufacturing the fastener stringer. In addition, since the transportation amount of the sewing machine can be set to the large value, the stitching speed can be increased and the fastener element can be stitched efficiently within a short time.

Furthermore, in the fastener stringer, the stitch of each row formed by each of the stitching lines is disposed to deviate in the longitudinal direction of the tape for at least one pitch of the fastener element between adjacent rows.

As a result, although the stitch of each row is disposed at least every two pitches of the fastener element, the fastener element can be substantially sealed to the fastener tape by each of the stitching lines. Further, when the fastener element is stitched, the sewing needle that forms each of the stitching lines can be disposed to deviate in the longitudinal direction of the tape. As a result, for example, even when the size of the fastener element is small, adjacent sewing needles can be prevented from interfering with each other and the fastener element can be stitched smoothly and stably without damaging the sewing needle.

Further, since the stitches formed on the respective stitching lines are disposed alternately in the longitudinal direction of the tape between the adjacent stitching lines, a plurality of stitching lines disposed on the fastener element is made to look like a tape fabric such as the fastener tape to be less conspicuous. In particular, in the invention, the stitches formed on the stitching lines of the respective rows are installed at an interval of a size more than two pitches of the fastener element in the longitudinal direction of the tape.

Thus in the invention, since a span can be lengthened between the adjacent stitches in each of the stitching lines, each of the stitching lines can be prevented from being convex on the fastener element or looking like a convex state. As a result, the stitching line can be made to be more inconspicuous and a new appearance different from the related art can be given to the fastener stringer of the invention. Further, since each stitching line is not convex on the fastener element, a sliding resistance of the slider can be reduced.

As a first aspect in the fastener stringer of the invention, a first stitching line and a second stitching line which are disposed in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the tape can be provided as a stitching line. In addition, the first stitching line and the second stitching line are disposed on one surface side of the fastener element in this order from the coupling head side of the fastener element. Further, the stitches disposed on the stitching lines of the respective rows are disposed every two pitches of the fastener element throughout the longitudinal direction of the tape and further, the stitch of the first stitching line is disposed to deviate from the stitch of the second stitching line by one pitch of the fastener element in the longitudinal direction of the tape.

In the fastener stringer according to the first aspect configured as above, the position of the fastener element cannot easily deviate in the longitudinal direction of the tape, and abrasion resistance of the first stitching line and the second stitching line can be excellent. Further, the stitches of the respective stitching lines throughout the longitudinal direction of the tape are disposed every two pitches of the fastener element. In addition, since the stitch of the first stitching line and the stitch of the second stitching line are disposed alternately throughout the longitudinal direction of the tape, the sewing needle that forms the first stitching line and the sewing needle that forms the second stitching line can be disposed to deviate in the longitudinal direction of the tape.

As a result, in manufacturing the fastener stringer, the fastener element can be stitched efficiently and stably within a short time. Further, the first stitching line and the second stitching line may be made to look like the tape fabric to be inconspicuous. Further, the flexibility of the fastener stringer can be easily secured.

As a second aspect in the fastener stringer of the invention, a first stitching line, a second stitching line, and a third stitching line which are disposed in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the tape can be provided as the stitching line. In addition, the first stitching line, the second stitching line, and the third stitching line are disposed on one surface side of the fastener element in this order from the coupling head side of the fastener element.

Further, the stitches of the respective stitching lines throughout the longitudinal direction of the tape are disposed every two pitches of the fastener element. Further, the stitch of the second stitching line is disposed to deviate from the stitch of the first stitching line and the stitch of the third stitching line by one pitch of the fastener element in the longitudinal direction of the tape.

In the fastener stringer according to the second aspect configured as above, the position of the fastener element does not easily deviate in the longitudinal direction of the tape and further, the abrasion resistance of each of the stitching lines is very excellent. Further, the stitches of the respective stitching lines are disposed every two pitches of the fastener element, respectively. In addition, the respective stitches are disposed alternately in the longitudinal direction of the tape between the second stitching line, and the first stitching line and the third stitching line.

As a result, the sewing needle that forms the second stitching line, and the sewing needle that forms the first stitching line and the sewing needle that forms the third stitching line can be disposed to deviate from each other in the longitudinal direction of the tape. Further, the sewing needle that forms the first stitching line and the sewing needle that forms the third stitching line can be disposed to be spaced apart from each other by the width of the second stitching line or more in the width direction of the tape. By this configuration, in manufacturing the fastener stringer, the fastener element can be stitched efficiently and stably within a short time.

Further, in the fastener stringer according to the second aspect, since three rows of stitching lines in the longitudinal direction of the tape are disposed on one surface side of the fastener element, the fastener element is concealed by the stitching lines to be inconspicuous from the outside. In addition, the first stitching line to the third stitching line exposed onto the fastener element are made to further look like the tape fabric to be further inconspicuous.

By configuring the slide fastener by using the fastener stringer, the slide fastener can be appropriately used for the clothes, the bags, and the like which are excellent in design.

As a third aspect in the fastener stringer of the invention, as the stitching line, a first stitching line, a second stitching line, and a third stitching line which are disposed in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the tape can be provided. In addition, the first stitching line, the second stitching line, and the third stitching line are disposed on one surface side of the fastener element in this order from the coupling head side of the fastener element.

Further, the stitches of the respective stitching lines throughout the longitudinal direction of the tape are disposed every three pitches of the fastener element, respectively. Further, the stitch of the second stitching line is disposed to deviate from the stitch of the first stitching line at one side in the longitudinal direction of the tape by one pitch or two pitches of the fastener element. Further, the stitch of the third stitching line is disposed to deviate from the stitch of the second stitching line in the longitudinal direction of the tape by one pitch of the fastener element and further, disposed to deviate from the stitch of the first stitching line at one side in the longitudinal direction of the tape by two pitches or one pitch of the fastener element.

In the fastener stringer according to the third aspect configured as above, the position of the fastener element does not easily deviate in the longitudinal direction of the tape and further, three stitching lines can be used as the stitching line, and thus the stitching line which is very excellent in abrasion resistance can be configured.

Further, the sewing needle that forms the third stitching line from the sewing needle that forms the first stitching line can be disposed to deviate from each other in the longitudinal direction of the tape and further, the sewing needle that forms the first stitching line and the sewing needle that forms the third stitching line can be disposed to be spaced apart from each other by the width of the second stitching line or more in the width direction of the tape.

By this configuration, in manufacturing the fastener stringer, the fastener element can be stitched efficiently and stably within a short time. Further, the flexibility of the fastener stringer can be easily secured.

Further, in the fastener stringer according to the third aspect, since three rows of stitching lines in the longitudinal direction of the tape are disposed on one surface side of the fastener element, the fastener element can be concealed by the stitching lines to be inconspicuous from the outside. In addition, the first stitching line to the third stitching line exposed onto the fastener element is made to look like the tape fabric to be further inconspicuous.

Further, in the fastener stringer of the invention, at least one stitch of any one stitching line is disposed between the fastener elements adjacent to each other throughout the longitudinal direction of the tape. Although two or more rows of stitching lines are disposed on one surface side of the fastener element as described above, at least one stitch is disposed between the fastener elements adjacent to each other throughout the longitudinal direction of the tape. By this configuration, in the stitching process of the fastener element, a plurality of sewing needles that form two rows or more of stitching lines, respectively is disposed so as not to interfere with each other and the stitching processing can be easily and efficiently performed.

In addition, in the fastener stringer of the invention, the number of stitching threads that press one surface side of each fastener element is larger than the number of stitching threads shown on the other surface side of the fastener tape. As a result, the abrasion resistance of each of the stitching lines disposed on one surface side of the fastener element is further improved and it is possible to make the fastener element be inconspicuous by the stitching line.

Furthermore, in the fastener stringer of the invention, of the stitching lines is configured by the dual circular rod of the stitching thread. As a result, the fastener element can be substantially sealed to the fastener tape.

Further, in the fastener stringer of the invention, the colors colored to the respective stitching threads are differently combined from each other in the adjacent stitching lines. By this configuration, instead of making the stitching line be inconspicuous, the stitching line can be made to be conspicuous and designability in the fastener stringer can be remarkably improved. In addition, a design of the clothes, the bags, and the like mounted with the slide fastener using the fastener stringer can be made to stand out.

In addition, the colored color has been described, but transparency or translucency is included as one kind of the colored color, in the invention.

Further, for example, when the stitching lines are configured by three rows, all of the colors of the respective rows may be combined to be different from each other. In addition, the colors are combined so that only a color of a row disposed at the center is different from colors of the remaining rows, that is, color combination can be determined by considering designability, and the like. In addition, even when the stitching lines are configured in four rows or more, the combination of the respective colors between the respective rows may be determined by considering the designability, and the like.

Further, in the fastener stringer of the invention, the colors respectively colored to the needle thread and the looper thread constituting each of the stitching threads are differently combined. By this configuration, the stitches with which the needle thread and the looper thread are interlaced can serve as charming points. In addition, variation when a design of the clothes or the bags mounted with the slide fastener using the fastener stringer is made to stand out can be richened.

Furthermore, in the fastener stringer of the invention, the colors colored to the respective stitching threads are configured to be the same as each other in the adjacent stitching lines. In this case, when the color colored to each of the stitching threads is transparent, the color of the core thread inserted into the fastener element is made to be conspicuous and when the color colored to each of the stitching threads is not transparent, it may look as if one tape were provided by a plurality of stitching lines.

Further, when the color colored to each of the stitching threads is transparent, the color of the core thread inserted into the fastener element and the color of the fastener tape may be appropriately combined with each other. When the fastener elements are directly sealed to the fastener tape to constitute the element row, the color of the fastener tape can be made to be conspicuous through each transparent stitching thread. Thus designability by the color of the core thread and the color of the fastener tape can be improved.

Further, in the fastener stringer of the invention, the color colored to the stitching thread and the color colored to the fastener tape are differently combined. By this configuration, designability in the fastener stringer can be remarkably improved. In addition, a design of the clothes, the bags, and the like mounted with the slide fastener using the fastener stringer can be made to be conspicuous.

In addition, in the slide fastener of the invention, which has a pair of fastener stringers having the above configuration, at the left and right sides thereof, the left and right fastener elements are sealed to the fastener tape by two rows or more of stitching lines, respectively and the stitches formed on the respective stitching lines are disposed at least every two pitches of the fastener element. By this configuration, the slide fastener in which the dimensional precision of the fastener element, the abrasion resistance of the stitching line, and flexibility are excellent can be provided.

Further, in the slide fastener of the invention, since the stitch formed on each of the rows is disposed to deviate from the stitch of the row adjacent thereto by at least one pitch of the fastener element in the longitudinal direction of the tape, the plurality of stitching lines is made to be look like the tape fabric to be inconspicuous. In addition, on the contrary, by changing the color colored to the stitching thread or the fastener tape, the stitching thread or the fastener tape is easily conspicuous, and as a result, designability can be excellent. Thus the slide fastener can be appropriately used for the clothes, the bags, and the like which are excellent in design.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a slide fastener having a fastener stringer according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view illustrating a part of the fastener stringer.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of line illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a stitch type of a stitching thread in the fastener stringer.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a slide fastener having a fastener stringer according to a modified example of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view illustrating a part of a fastener stringer according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view illustrating a part of a fastener stringer according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating primary parts when the fastener stringer according to the first embodiment of the invention is configured by using a colored stitching thread.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the fastener stringer illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating a state in which a pair of fastener stringers illustrated in FIG. 8 is used and fastener elements which face each other are coupled with each other.

FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating a state in which a pair of fastener stringers using stitching threads colored with different colors is used and the fastener elements which face each other are coupled with each other.

FIG. 12 is a front view illustrating a slide fastener in the related art.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, appropriate embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings by using embodiments. Further, the invention is not particularly limited to each embodiment to be described below and only if the substantially the same configuration is provided and the same operational effect is shown, various changes can be made.

For example, in embodiments described below, a fastener stringer in which fastener elements which are continuous in a coil shape are sealed along a tape-side edge of a fastener tape to form an element row will be described. However, the invention is not limited to this configuration and when the fastener elements are configured in the continuity shape, the invention may have, for example, a configuration in which zigzag-shaped fastener elements are sealed to the tape-side edge of the fastener tape to form the element row.

Further, in the embodiments described below, a stitching line configured to seal the fastener elements to the fastener tape is configured by a dual circular rod of a stitching thread, but the stitching line in the invention may be configured by other stitch types such as a single circular rod, and the like.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a slide fastener having a fastener stringer according to a first embodiment. Further, FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view illustrating a part of the fastener stringer and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line illustrated in FIG. 2. In addition, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the stitch type of the stitching thread in the fastener stringer.

Further, in a description below, an anteroposterior direction represents the longitudinal direction of the fastener tape and is the same direction as a sliding direction in which a slider slides, and in FIG. 1, an upper side to a plane of paper is set as a front side and a lower side is set as a rear side. In addition, a horizontal direction represents the tape width direction of the fastener tape and represents a direction which is parallel to a tape surface of the fastener tape and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the tape. Furthermore, a vertical direction represents a tape two-face direction orthogonal to the tape surface of the fastener tape and in particular, a direction of a side where the fastener elements are attached to the fastener tape is defined as an upper side and a direction opposite thereto is defined as a lower side.

In a fastener stringer 10 according to the first embodiment, two fastener stringers 10 are used as one group to configure a standard type slide fastener 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1. In this case, the slide fastener 1 includes a pair of left and right fastener stringers 10 according to the first embodiment, an upper stopper 6 fixed to one end of an element row 21 of the fastener stringer 10, a lower stopper 7 fixed to the other end of the element row 21 of the fastener stringer 10, and a slider 8 slidably attached along the element row 21.

Further, the slide fastener 1 is configured by sliding the slider 8 toward the upper stopper 6 side to close the slide fastener 1 by engaging the left and right element rows 21 and further, sliding the slider 8 toward the lower stopper 7 side to open the slide fastener 1 by separating the left and right element rows 21. In addition, the upper stopper 6, the lower stopper 7, and the slider 8 in the slide fastener 1 are configured similarly as those generally used in the related art.

Further, one fastener stringer 10 is bent on the way and ends of the fastener stringers 10 face each other, and as a result, the element rows may be configured to face up to bent portions. In this configuration, the upper stopper 6 illustrated in FIG. 1 is not used.

The fastener stringer 10 according to the first embodiment configuring the slide fastener 1 includes a fastener tape 20 woven in a narrow shape and an element row 21 disposed along a tape-side edge 20 b of the fastener tape 20. The element row 21 is configured in such a manner that fastener elements 22 which are continuous in the coil shape are sealed to the fastener tape 20 by using a stitching thread 11 while a core thread 27 is inserted in upper and lower legs 24 and 25, as described below. Further, in the invention, the element row may also be configured by sealing the fastener element 22 to the fastener tape 20 without the core thread 27.

The fastener tape 20 of the first embodiment includes a tape main body portion 20 a which becomes a portion stitched to a fastener attached product such as a cloth or a bag and a tape-side edge 20 b (may be called an element attachment portion) disposed at one edge of the tape main body portion 20 a and attached with the fastener element 22.

Further, the fastener tape 20 of the first embodiment is configured by weaving, but the configuration of the fastener tape 20 is not particularly limited in the invention and for example, materials and thicknesses of warp threads and weft threads forming the fastener tape 20 may be arbitrarily set. In addition, the fastener tape may be configured by knitting structure.

The fastener element 22 of the first embodiment has the continuous coil shape and is formed by forming a swollen-shaped coupling head 23 by pressing a monofilament made of a synthetic resin such as polyamide or polyester at a predetermined interval and thereafter, winding the coupling head 23 in the coil shape.

Further, the fastener element 22 has the coupling head 23 formed to protrude in an anteroposterior direction (the longitudinal direction of the fastener tape), a pair of upper and lower legs 24 and 25 that extend in the width direction of the tape from the coupling head 23, and a connecting portion 26 connecting the upper leg 24 and the lower leg 25 between the fastener elements 22 adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the tape. In this case, a dimension between a center line in the longitudinal direction of the fastener tape 20 in one coupling head 23 and a center line in the longitudinal direction of the fastener tape 20 in a coupling head 23 adjacent to the corresponding coupling head 23 is defined as a size for one pitch of the fastener element 22.

In the first embodiment, the coil-shaped fastener element 22 is disposed such that the coupling head 23 protrudes from a side edge of the fastener tape 20 while the core thread 27 is inserted between the upper and the lower legs 24 and 25, and the fastener element 22 is stitched to the tape-side edge 20 b of the fastener tape 20 by the stitching thread 11. Two rows of stitching lines 12 of a first stitching line 12 a disposed at the coupling head 23 side and a second stitching line 12 b disposed at the connecting portion 26 side are formed in the longitudinal direction of the tape on the top of the upper leg 24 in the fastener element 22.

Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the first stitching line 12 a and the second stitching line 12 b is configured by the dual circular rod of the stitching thread 11. The stitching thread 11 of each of the rows includes a needle thread 11 a stitched to a tape part between the fastener elements 22 to form a stitch 13 while traveling on an undersurface side of the tape of the fastener tape 20 and a looper thread lib pressing a top of the fastener element 22 by traveling on the upper leg 24 side of the fastener element 22 while being interlaced with the needle thread 11 a by the stitch 13.

In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 3, in a horizontal cross-section of the fastener stringer 10, the number of the needle threads 11 a disposed on the tape undersurface side of the fastener tape 20 is one, while the number of the looper threads 11 b disposed on the top of the fastener element 22 is three, on the stitching line 12 of each of the rows. That is, the number of the looper threads 11 b disposed on the top of the fastener element 22 is larger than the number of the needle threads 11 a disposed on the tape undersurface side of the fastener tape 20.

Further, in the first embodiment, the stitch 13 formed in each of the first stitching line 12 a and the second stitching line 12 b is disposed every two pitches of the fastener element 22 in the longitudinal direction of the tape and the looper thread 11 b of each of the first stitching line 12 a and the second stitching line 12 b is interlaced with the needle thread 11 a throughout the upper and lower legs 24 and 25 of the two fastener elements 22.

As a result, two upper legs 24 and two lower legs 25 are disposed between the stitches 13 of the first stitching line 12 a as illustrated in FIG. 4 and further, two upper legs 24 and two lower legs 25 are similarly disposed between the stitches 13 of the second stitching line 12 b. Further, a size for one pitch of the fastener element 22 is the same as a dimension between center lines in the longitudinal direction of the tape in two upper legs 24 which are adjacent to each other and the stitches 13 are disposed every two pitches of the fastener element 22 throughout the longitudinal direction of the tape.

Further, in this case, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the position of the stitch 13 on the first stitching line 12 a is installed to deviate in the longitudinal direction of the tape by the size for one pitch of the fastener element 22 with respect to the position of the stitch 13 on the second stitching line 12 b. In addition, the stitch 13 formed on the first stitching line 12 a and the stitch 13 formed on the second stitching line 12 b are alternately disposed by each one between the respective fastener elements 22 when seen in the longitudinal direction of the tape. That is, the stitch 13 is certainly formed between the fastener elements 22 which are adjacent to each other.

Subsequently, a method of manufacturing the fastener stringer 10 according to the first embodiment will be described.

First, the fastener tape 20 is prepared. A carrier bar reciprocates in an opening of the warp thread by using, for example, a weaving machine to insert the weft thread, and as a result, the fastener tape 20 is woven by desired weaving.

Continuously, a stitching process of sealing the coil-shaped fastener element 22 by the dual circular rod of the stitching thread 11 is performed along the tape-side edge 20 b of the woven fastener tape 20 by using a sewing machine. In the stitching process of the first embodiment, while two sheets of fastener tapes 20 are arranged in parallel in the width direction of the tape to be supplied to a stitching unit of the sewing machine, two coil-shaped fastener elements 22 respectively sealed to the fastener tapes 20 are supplied to the stitching unit of the sewing machine together with the fastener tape 20 with two coil-shaped fastener elements 22 coupled with each other. In addition, in the corresponding stitching unit, the fastener elements 22 are respectively stitched to the left and right fastener tapes 20 by the stitching thread 11 as it is while two fastener elements 22 are coupled with each other.

In this case, the stitching unit of the sewing machine used in stitching includes two sewing needles that stitch one fastener element 22 by two rows of first and second stitching lines 12 a and 12 b and two sewing needles that stitch the other fastener element 22 by two rows of first and second stitching lines 12 a and 12 b. Stitching processing performed with respect to one fastener element 22 and stitching processing performed with respect to the other fastener element 22 are symmetrically performed at the same time. Further, hereinafter, in order to avoid a rambling description, stitching processing performed with respect to one fastener element 22 will be described in detail.

The stitching unit of the sewing machine has two sewing needles that stitch one fastener element 22 by two rows of first and second stitching lines 12 a and 12 b as described above, and the two sewing needles are disposed at an upstream side or a downstream side in a transportation direction of the fastener tape 20 to deviate from each other with the size for one pitch of the fastener element 22.

Therefore, in the corresponding stitching unit, two sewing needles which deviate from each other in the longitudinal direction of the tape may vertically reciprocate at the same time with respect to the fastener tape 20 and the coil-shaped fastener element 22 which are supplied. In addition, the fastener tape 20 to which the fastener element 22 is stitched is intermittently transported downstream in accordance with reciprocation of the two sewing needles, and as a result, the fastener element 22 is stitched by the dual circular rod by two rows of stitching threads 11.

In this case, in the first embodiment, since two sewing needles are disposed to deviate from each other in the transportation direction, the stitch 13 formed on the first stitching line 12 a and the stitch 13 formed on the second stitching line 12 b may be disposed to significantly deviate from each other in the longitudinal direction of the tape with the size for one pitch of the fastener element 22.

Further, in the first embodiment, for example, even when the size of the fastener element 22 is small, since two sewing needles are disposed to deviate from each other in the longitudinal direction of the tape, two sewing needles may be prevented from interfering with each other at the time of stitching the fastener element 22 to the fastener tape 20. By this configuration, stitching the fastener element 22 may be performed smoothly and stably and further, efficiently in a short time while the stitches 13 respectively formed on the first stitching line 12 a and the second stitching line 12 b are alternately formed in the longitudinal direction of the tape without damaging the sewing needle.

In addition, in the first embodiment, in the stitching processing of the fastener element 22, since the stitch 13 of each of the stitching lines 12 is formed every two pitches of the fastener element 22, the fastener tape 20 and the fastener element 22 may be sent downstream with a transportation amount for two pitches of the fastener element 22 with respect to one-time reciprocation of the sewing needle.

As a result, in the first embodiment, a stitching speed may be increased by configuring a transportation amount of the sewing machine more largely than the case in which the stitch 13 of the stitching thread 11 is formed every pitch of the fastener element 22 like, for example, the fastener stringer 10 (see FIG. 12) of Patent Document 1. As a result, the stitching process of the fastener element 22 may be efficiently performed within a short time.

By performing the above stitching process, the fastener element 22 having a predetermined length is sealed along the tape-side edge 20 b of the fastener tape 20 by two rows of stitching lines 12 by the dual circular rod of the stitching thread 11. In addition, the fastener stringer 10 of the first embodiment may be manufactured.

In the fastener stringer 10 of the first embodiment manufactured as above, the fastener element 22 is stitched to the fastener tape 20 by two rows of stitching lines 12 by the first stitching line 12 a and the second stitching line 12 b. Further, the respective stitches 13 in the first stitching line 12 a and the second stitching line 12 b are alternately disposed every pitch of the fastener element 22 throughout the longitudinal direction of the tape. That is, the stitch 13 is certainly formed between the fastener elements 22 which are adjacent to each other.

As a result, the fastener element 22 may be stably fixed so as not to deviate from a predetermined position by the first stitching line 12 a and the second stitching line 12 b, and dimensional precision of the fastener element 22 may be increased.

Further, the rows of the first stitching line 12 a and the second stitching line 12 b are arranged in parallel, and as a result, even when such a slide fastener 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is configured by using the fastener stringer 10, friction force with the slider 8 is scattered to the first stitching line 12 a and the second stitching line 12 b although the slider 8 is repeatedly slid. As a result, although the stitching thread 11 of each of the rows contacts the slider 8, the stitching thread 11 is difficult to cut, thereby improving abrasion resistance of the stitching line 12.

In addition, in the fastener stringer 10 of the first embodiment, although the fastener element 22 is sealed by two rows of first stitching line 12 a and second stitching line 12 b, the stitch 13 of each of the stitching lines 12 is disposed every two pitches of the fastener element 22, thereby easily securing flexibility in the fastener stringer 10.

Furthermore, in the fastener stringer 10, the stitch 13 of the first stitching line 12 a and the stitch 13 of the second stitching line 12 b are disposed to deviate from each other so that forming positions of the stitches 13 are alternately formed. By this configuration, a plurality of stitching lines 12 themselves disposed on the fastener element 22 may be made to look like tape fabric such as the fastener tape 20, and the like as compared with, for example, the configuration in which the stitches of two rows of stitching lines are arranged between the respective fastener elements like the slide fastener of Patent Document 1.

As a result, for example, by matching a color of the fastener tape 20 in the fastener stringer 10 and a color of the stitching thread 11 in the first stitching line 12 a and the second stitching line 12 b, it is possible to make the first stitching line 12 a and the second stitching line 12 b to be inconspicuous. Further, in the invention, the respective colors of the fastener tape 20, the fastener element 22, and the stitching thread 11 in the stitching line 12 may be arbitrarily selected or changed.

That is, as illustrated in FIG. 8, colors colored to the stitching threads 11 in the first stitching line 12 a and the second stitching line 12 b in the fastener stringer 10 may be different from each other. In this case, the colors colored to the respective stitching threads 11 in the first stitching line 12 a and the second stitching line 12 b, and the color colored to the fastener tape 20 may be different from each other. Further, in this case, the fastener element 22 may be made of a transparent or semi-transparent material or may also be colored with arbitrary colors.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 9 which is a back view of the fastener stringer 10 illustrated in FIG. 8, when even the needle thread 11 a is colored, a color of the needle thread 11 a is configured as a color with which a rear surface of the fastener tape 20 is painted. As colors colored to the needle thread 11 a and the looper thread 11 b constituting one stitching line 12, the needle thread 11 a and the looper thread 11 b may be colored with the same color or different colors.

By making the color colored to the needle thread 11 a and the color colored to the looper thread lib different, the color colored to the needle thread 11 a may be expressed to an interlacing portion of the needle thread 11 a and the looper thread 11 b like a point at the stitch 13 on the stitching line 12. In addition, a peculiar color may be expressed as a color with respect to the stitching line 12. Further, the color colored to the needle thread 11 a and the color colored to the fastener tape 20 may be configured by the same color or different colors.

When the color colored to the needle thread 11 a and the color colored to the fastener tape 20 are the same as each other, the needle thread 11 a may be made to be inconspicuous. Further, when the color colored to the needle thread 11 a and the color colored to the fastener tape 20 are different from each other, a color may be given to even the rear surface side of the fastener tape 20.

As the stitching thread 11, a dyed thread may be used. Further, as threads (weaving thread and knitting thread) constituting the fastener tape 20, dyed threads may be used similarly as the stitching thread 11. The dyed thread may be configured by dyeing a thread before stitching, weaving, or knitting. Alternatively, the dyed thread may be made by mixing a pigment with the thread.

When the color is colored to the fastener element 22, coloring may be performed by dyeing the fastener element itself or adding the pigment to the material configuring the fastener element 22 before stitching the fastener element 22 to the fastener tape 20.

FIG. 10 illustrates a state in which the fastener elements 22 of each of the fastener stringers 10 are coupled with each other by using a pair of left and right fastener stringers 10 illustrated in FIG. 8. While the fastener elements 22 are coupled with each other, the first stitching lines 12 a in a pair of left and right fastener stringers 10 are disposed in the same color and the second stitching lines 12 b are disposed in the same color which is a color different from the color of the first stitching lines 12 a.

FIG. 11 illustrates a state in which the fastener elements 22 of each of the fastener stringers 10 are coupled with each other by using a pair of left and right fastener stringers 10. The color in the stitching line 12 disposed in the left fastener stringer 10 in FIG. 11 and the color in the stitching line 12 disposed in the right fastener stringer 10 in FIG. 11 are different from each other.

That is, the color of the first stitching line 12 a and the color of the second stitching line 12 b in the stitching line 12 disposed in the left fastener stringer 10 in the figure are the same as each other. Further, the color of the stitching line 12 disposed in the right fastener stringer 10 in the figure is configured to be different from the color of the stitching line 12 disposed in the left fastener stringer 10 and further, the color of the first stitching line 12 a and the color of the second stitching line 12 b in the stitching line 12 disposed in the right fastener stringer 10 are the same as each other. In addition, in this case, the fastener elements 22 may be colored in the same color or in different colors between the left and right fastener stringers 10.

In FIGS. 8 to 11, a configuration in which two rows of stitching lines 12 are formed in the fastener stringer 10 is described, but the stitching threads 11 of all of the stitching lines 12 may be colored so that the colors in the stitching threads 11 are combined appropriately even with respect to a case in which three or more rows of stitching lines 12 are formed in the fastener stringer 10. Further, expression called coloring in this application includes transparency and semi-transparency other than the color and coloring in the invention.

Further, a combination of the colors in the stitching threads 11 of all of the stitching lines 12, a combination of the colors of the fastener tapes 20, a combination of the colors of the fastener elements 22, and a color colored to the upper stopper 6 (see FIG. 1), a color colored to the lower stopper 7, and a combination of the colors may be configured as an appropriate combination by considering a design property or designability.

In addition, the slider 8 (see FIG. 1) may be configured by the same color as the stitching thread 11 or configured by a color different from the stitching thread 11. As coloring to the slider 8, an appropriate coloring method such as coloring by painting or a configuration by a resin material added with the pigment may be adopted.

When the core thread 27 (see FIG. 3) is inserted into the fastener element 22, the core thread 27 may be configured by the same color as the stitching thread 11 or configured by the same color as the fastener tape 20. Further, the color of the core thread 27 may be configured by the same color as the fastener element 22.

The core thread 27 may be visually seen from the outside when the stitching line 12 is transparent or semi-transparent, but it is generally difficult to see the core thread 27 from the outside. As a result, by considering an aspect of a manufacturing cost, the core thread 27 may be configured by a color different from the color of the stitching thread 11, for example, a white color.

Further, although the white color is exemplified as the color different from the color of the stitching thread 11, the white color is not limited as the color colored to the core thread 27 and as necessary, the white color may be used as the color in the fastener element 22, the fastener tape 20, or the stitching thread 11.

In addition, the upper stopper 6 or the lower stopper 7 (see FIG. 1) may be transparent, or may be colored by the same color as the stitching thread 11 or by a different color from the stitching thread 11. Even as coloring to the upper stopper 6 and the lower stopper 7, an appropriate coloring method may be adopted similarly as above.

In the first embodiment, the fastener stringer 10 used in the standard type slide fastener 1 has been described as above, but in the invention, the type of the slide fastener is not particularly limited and for example, the invention may also be appropriately applied to a fastener stringer for a concealed slide fastener.

Herein, the concealed slide fastener which is a modified example of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5. A concealed slide fastener 1 a is configured by a pair of left and right fastener stringers 10 a according to the modified example of the first embodiment. Further, the concealed slide fastener 1 a has even the upper stopper, the lower stopper, and the slider (not illustrated) which are generally used in the related art.

The fastener stringers 10 a constituting the concealed slide fastener 1 a have a fastener tape 30 and the element rows 21 disposed along a tape-side edge 30 c of the fastener tape 30. The element row 21 is configured by sealing the fastener element 22 which is continuous in the coil shape to the fastener tape 30 by the dual circular rod by two rows of stitching threads 11.

In this case, the fastener tape 30 includes a tape main body portion 30 a, a tape bending portion 30 b that is extended from one periphery of the tape main body portion 30 a and bent in a U shape, and a tape-side edge 30 c further extended from the tape bending portion 30 b, to which the fastener element 22 is sealed. Further, the fastener tape 30 is configured in such a manner that the concealed slide fastener 1 a is configured and the tape bending portions 30 b of the left and right fastener tapes 30 thus contact each other when the left and right element rows 21 are coupled to each other.

Further, the coil-shaped fastener element 22 in the modified example is configured in the same form as the case of the first embodiment described above and includes the coupling head 23, the upper and lower legs 24 and 25, and the connecting portion 26. However, in the modified example which is the concealed slide fastener 1 a, a direction of the fastener element 22 sealed to the fastener tape 30 is different from that of the first embodiment described above.

That is, in the modified example, when the fastener element 22 is stitched, the core thread 27 is inserted between the upper and lower legs 24 and 25 of the fastener element 22 before the fastener tape 30 is bent. In addition, the upper and lower legs 24 and 25 are stitched to the tape-side edge 30 c of the fastener tape 30 by two rows of stitching lines with the coupling head 23 facing the tape main body portion 30 a side of the fastener tape 30. Two rows of stitching lines are formed by the dual circular rods of the stitching threads 11, respectively.

In this case, two rows of stitching lines 12 of a first stitching line 12 a disposed at the coupling head 23 side and a second stitching line 12 b disposed at the connecting portion 26 side are formed on the top of the fastener element 22 in the longitudinal direction of the tape. The first stitching line 12 a and the second stitching line 12 b are configured similarly as the case of the first embodiment described above.

Further, after the fastener element 22 is sealed to the fastener tape 30, the fastener tape 30 is bent in the U shape by the tape bending portion 30 b. In addition, the bent fastener tape 30 is thermally set. As a result, the fastener stringer 10 a is acquired in which the coupling head 23 of the fastener element 22 protrudes outward from the tape bending portion 30 b of the fastener tape 30.

By combining two fastener stringers 10 a acquired as above as one group, the concealed slide fastener 1 a is configured. By sliding a slider (not illustrated), the coupling heads 23 of the left and right fastener elements 22 may be appropriately coupled with each other.

Further, in the concealed slide fastener 1 a, when the left and right element rows 21 are coupled with each other, the tape bending portions 30 b of the left and right fastener tapes 30 may be closely attached to each other. Since the concealed slide fastener 1 a is configured as above, the left and right element rows 21 which are coupled with each other may be concealed by the fastener tape 30 (particularly, the tape bending portion 30 b) when the slide fastener 1 a is viewed from the tape main body portion 30 a side of the fastener tape 30.

In addition, the concealed slide fastener 1 a may be attached and used to the fastener attached product such as the clothes or the bag, for example, so that the fastener element 22 is disposed on an outer surface side (a side exposed to the outside) of the slide fastener 1 a.

In the fastener stringer 10 a according to the modified example, the dimensional precision of the fastener element 22 or the abrasion resistance of the stitching line 12 is excellent and flexibility may be easily secured, similarly as the first embodiment described above. Further, even when the concealed slide fastener 1 a is used, for example, so that the left and right fastener elements 22 are disposed on the outer surface side, the first stitching line 12 a and the second stitching line 12 b are made to look like the tape fabric to be inconspicuous.

Further, as the configuration colored to the stitching line 12, and the like, is described by using FIGS. 8 to 11, the concealed slide fastener 1 a may be configured so that the color of the stitching thread 11 constituting the first stitching line 12 a and the second stitching line 12 b, the color of the fastener tape 20, the color of the fastener element 22, and the color of the core thread 27 are appropriately combined with each other.

Thus by considering the color in the stitching line 12, and the like, designability for the concealed slide fastener la may be improved. In addition, when the concealed slide fastener 1 a is opened, a preening degree on a rear surface side of the clothes, the bag, and the like on which the concealed slide fastener 1 a is mounted may be significantly increased.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view illustrating a part of a fastener stringer according to a second embodiment.

Further, in a fastener stringer 40 according to the second embodiment, the number of stitching lines 42 that seals the fastener element 22 to the fastener tape 20 is set to three. The fastener stringer 10 according to the second embodiment is different from the configuration of the fastener stringer 40 according to the first embodiment in view of the configuration in which the number of stitching lines 42 is three.

The fastener tape 20 and the fastener element 22 are configured similarly as the first embodiment. Therefore, the same members and parts in the second embodiment and a third embodiment to be described below as the first embodiment described above are represented by the same reference numerals, and as a result, a description thereof will be omitted.

The fastener stringer 40 according to the second embodiment includes a fastener tape 20 and an element row 21 disposed along a tape-side edge 20 b of the fastener tape 20. Further, the element row 21 is configured in such a manner that fastener elements 22 which are continuous in the coil shape are sealed to the fastener tape 20 by using a stitching thread 41 while a core thread 27 is inserted in upper and lower legs 24 and 25.

On the top of the fastener element 22, three rows of stitching lines 42 of a first stitching line 42 a disposed on the coupling head 23 side, a second stitching line 42 b disposed to be adjacent to the first stitching line 42 a in the width direction of the tape, and a third stitching line 42 c adjacent to the second stitching line 42 b and disposed at a connecting portion 26 side are formed in the longitudinal direction of the tape.

In this case, the first stitching line 42 a to the third stitching line 42 c are configured by the dual circular rods by the stitching thread 41. The stitching thread 41 of each row constituting the first stitching line 42 a to the third stitching line 42 c includes a needle thread stitched to a tape part between the fastener elements 22 to form a stitch 43 while traveling on an undersurface side of the tape of the fastener tape 20 and a looper thread pressing a top of the fastener element 22 by traveling on the upper leg 24 side of the fastener element 22 while being interlaced with the needle thread by the stitch 43.

In particular, in the second embodiment, the stitches 43 formed on the respective rows of the first stitching line 42 a to the third stitching line 42 c are disposed every two pitches of the fastener element 22. The stitch 43 on the first stitching line 42 a and the stitch 43 on the third stitching line 42 c are disposed in a region of the same tape part between the same fastener elements 22 in the longitudinal direction of the tape.

Further, a forming position of the stitch 43 on the second stitching line 42 b is disposed to deviate from forming positions of the stitches 43 on the first stitching line 42 a and the third stitching line 42 c by one pitch of the fastener element 22 in the longitudinal direction of the tape.

Accordingly, the forming positions of the stitches 43 on the first stitching line 42 a and the third stitching line 42 c, and the forming position of the stitch 43 on the second stitching line 42 b are disposed to deviate from each other by one pitch of each of the fastener elements 22 in the longitudinal direction of the tape. That is, the stitch 13 is certainly formed between the fastener elements 22 which are adjacent to each other.

When the fastener stringer 40 according to the second embodiment, which has the above configuration, is manufactured, the coil-shaped fastener element 22 is sealed to the fastener tape 20 while a pair of left and right coil-shaped fastener elements 22 are coupled to each other by using the sewing machine similarly as the first embodiment described above.

In this case, in the second embodiment, three sewing needles are provided in the stitching unit of the sewing machine in order to seal one fastener element 22 to one fastener tape 20 (that is, a total of six sewing needles in three at each of left and right sides are provided in the stitching unit of the sewing machine in order to stitch two coil-shaped fastener elements 22 which are coupled to each other).

Further, in three sewing needles that seal one coil-shaped fastener element 22 provided in the stitching unit of the sewing machine, the position of a sewing needle that forms the second stitching line 42 b deviates from an upstream side or a downstream side in the transportation direction of the fastener tape 20 with respect to the position of the sewing needles that form the first stitching line 42 a and the third stitching line 42 c, respectively.

As a result, in the second embodiment, the stitch 43 of the second stitching line 42 b formed by stitching the fastener element 22 may be disposed to surely deviate from the stitches 43 of the first stitching line 42 a and the third stitching line 42 c in the longitudinal direction of the tape by the size for one pitch of the fastener element 22 as described above. Further, the sewing needle that forms the first stitching line 42 a and the sewing needle that forms the third stitching line 42 c are disposed to be spaced apart from each other by the width of the second stitching line 42 b.

By the above configuration, the sewing needle that forms the second stitching line 42 b, and the sewing needles that form the first stitching line 42 a and the third stitching line 42 c may reciprocate vertically without interfering with each other. In addition, the fastener element 22 may be smoothly and stably sealed to the fastener tape 20 without damaging each of the sewing needles.

Further, in the second embodiment, since the fastener tape 20 and the fastener element 22 may be transported to the downstream side by a transportation amount for two pitches of the fastener element 22 by one-time reciprocation of the sewing needle, in the stitching processing of the fastener element 22 similarly as the first embodiment described above, the stitching process of the fastener element 22 may be performed efficiently within a short time.

Further, in the fastener stringer 40 according to the second embodiment, which is manufactured by performing the aforementioned stitching process, the fastener element 22 is substantially stitched to the fastener tape 20 by the first stitching line 42 a to the third stitching line 42 c. In addition, the stitch 43 formed on the second stitching line 42 b, and the stitches 43 formed on the first stitching line 42 a and the third stitching line 42 c are disposed alternately every pitch of the fastener element 22, in stitching the fastener element 22. That is, the stitch 13 is certainly formed between the fastener elements 22 which are adjacent to each other.

By the above configuration, the fastener element 22 may be stably fixed so as not to deviate from a predetermined position and the dimensional precision of the fastener element 22 may be increased. Further, flexibility in the fastener stringer 40 may be appropriately secured. In addition, in the fastener stringer 40, since the first stitching line 42 a to the third stitching line 42 c are disposed in parallel, the stitching thread 41 of each of the rows is difficult to cut although a slider (not illustrated) slides on the stitching line 42, and as a result, the abrasion resistance of the stitching line 42 may be improved.

Further, in the fastener stringer 40 according to the second embodiment, three rows of stitching lines 42 are disposed on the fastener element 22, and the positions of the stitches 43 deviate from each other in such a manner that the stitch 43 formed on the second stitching line 42 b, and the stitches 43 formed on the first stitching line 42 a and the third stitching line 42 c, respectively are disposed to deviate from each other.

As a result, since the first stitching line 42 a to the third stitching line 42 c may be made to look like a tape fabric having a larger width than that of the first embodiment described above, it is difficult to see the fastener element 22 from the outside by concealing the fastener element 22 with the first stitching line 42 a to the third stitching line 42 c and it is possible to make the first stitching line 42 a to the third stitching line 42 c exposed on the fastener element 22 inconspicuous.

Further, as the configuration colored to the stitching line 12, and the like is described in the first embodiment described above, even in the configuration of the second embodiment, the concealed slide fastener 1 a may be configured so that the color of the stitching thread 41 constituting the first stitching line 42 a to the third stitching line 42 c, the color of the fastener tape 20, the color of the fastener element 22, and the color of the core thread 27 are appropriately combined with each other.

Thus by considering the color in the stitching line 12, and the like, designability for the slide fastener manufactured by the configuration of the second embodiment may be improved and designability for the clothes, the bag, and the like mounted with the slide fastener may also be improved.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view illustrating a part of a fastener stringer according to a third embodiment.

A fastener stringer 50 according to the third embodiment includes a fastener tape 20 and an element row 21 disposed along a tape-side edge 20 b of the fastener tape 20. Further, the element row 21 is configured in such a manner that fastener elements 22 which are continuous in the coil shape are sealed to the fastener tape 20 by using a stitching thread 51 while a core thread 27 is inserted in upper and lower legs 24 and 25.

On the top of the fastener element 22, three rows of stitching lines 52 of a first stitching line 52 a disposed on the coupling head 23 side, a second stitching line 52 b disposed to be adjacent to the first stitching line 52 a in the width direction of the tape, and a third stitching line 52 c adjacent to the second stitching line 52 b and disposed at the connecting portion 26 side are formed in the longitudinal direction of the tape.

In this case, the first stitching line 52 a to the third stitching line 52 c are configured by configuring the stitching thread 51 with the dual circular rods. The stitching thread 51 of each row includes a needle thread stitched to a tape part between the fastener elements 22 to form a stitch 53 while traveling on an undersurface side of the tape of the fastener tape 20 and a looper thread pressing a top of the fastener element 22 by traveling on the upper leg 24 side of the fastener element 22 while being interlaced with the needle thread by the stitch 53.

In the third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the stitches 53 formed on the respective rows of the first stitching line 52 a to the third stitching line 52 c are disposed every three pitches of the fastener element 22 in the longitudinal direction of the tape, respectively. Further, the stitch 53 formed on the second stitching line 52 b is disposed to deviate from the stitch 53 formed on the first stitching line 52 a by one pitch of the fastener element 22 at one side (front side) in the longitudinal direction of the tape.

Further, the stitch 53 formed on the third stitching line 52 c is disposed to deviate from the stitch 53 of the second stitching line 52 b by one pitch of the fastener element 22 at one side (front side) in the longitudinal direction of the tape and further, disposed to deviate from the stitch 53 formed on the first stitching line 52 a by two pitches of the fastener element 22 at one side (front side) of the longitudinal direction of the tape.

That is, the stitches 53 formed on the stitching lines 52 a to 52 c, respectively are disposed to deviate at one side (front side) in the longitudinal direction of the tape by each one pitch of the fastener element 22, in the width direction of the tape. Further, the stitch 53 is certainly formed between the fastener elements 22 which are adjacent to each other.

In addition, as a modified example of the position of the stitches 53 formed on the stitching lines 52 a to 52 c according to the third embodiment, the stitch 53 formed on the second stitching line 52 b may be disposed to deviate from the stitch 53 formed on the first stitching line 52 a by each two pitches of the fastener element 22 at one side (front side) in the longitudinal direction of the tape and the stitch 53 formed on the third stitching line 52 c may be disposed to deviate from the stitch 53 formed on the first stitching line 52 a by one pitch of the fastener element 22 at one side (front side) in the longitudinal direction of the tape.

That is, in regard to the positions of the stitches 53 formed on the stitching lines 52 a to 52 c, respectively, the stitch 53 formed on the second stitching line 52 b may be disposed to deviate from the stitch 53 formed on the first stitching line 52 a by each two pitches of the fastener element 22 at one side (front side) in the longitudinal direction of the tape and the stitch 53 formed on the third stitching line 52 c may be disposed to deviate from the stitch 53 formed on the second stitching line 52 b by each one pitch of the fastener element 22 at the other side (rear side) in the longitudinal direction of the tape, in the width direction of the tape.

Further, a configuration in which the stitch 53 formed on the second stitching line 52 b is installed to deviate from the stitch 53 formed on the first stitching line 52 a by two pitches of the fastener element 22 at one side (front side) in the longitudinal direction of the tape and the stitch 53 formed on the third stitching line 52 c is disposed to deviate from the stitch 53 formed on the second stitching line 52 b by each one pitch of the fastener element 22 at the other side (rear side) in the longitudinal direction of the tape is not illustrated.

When the fastener stringer 50 according to the third embodiment, which has the above configuration, is manufactured, two coil-shaped fastener elements 22 are sealed to the fastener tape 20 by using the sewing machine with two coil-shaped fastener elements 22 coupled to each other, similarly as the first and second embodiments described above. In this case, in the third embodiment, three sewing needles are provided in the stitching unit of the sewing machine to manufacture one fastener stringer 50 in order to seal one fastener element 22 to one fastener tape 20 by three rows of stitching lines 52 a to 52 c.

When a pair of left and right fastener stringers 50 are manufactured with two coil-shaped fastener elements 22 coupled to each other, three sewing needles are provided at each of the left and right sides.

Further, in the case of three sewing needles provided in the stitching unit of the sewing machine, the sewing needle that forms the second stitching line 52 b and the sewing needle that forms the third stitching line 52 c are disposed to deviate from the sewing needle that forms the first stitching line 52 a at an upstream side or a downstream side in the transportation direction of the fastener tape 20 by the size for one pitch or two pitches of the fastener element 22.

As a result, in the third embodiment, the respective stitches 53 on the first stitching line 52 a to the third stitching line 52 c may be disposed to deviate from each other according to the positional relationship as described above. In addition, the stitch 53 may be certainly formed between the adjacent fastener elements 22.

By this configuration, the respective sewing needles that form the first stitching line 52 a to the third stitching line 52 c may reciprocate vertically without interfering with each other. In addition, the fastener element 22 may be smoothly and stably sealed to the fastener tape 20 without damaging the respective sewing needles.

Further, in the third embodiment, when the fastener element 22 is stitched, the sewing needle reciprocates once vertically to transport the fastener tape 20 and the fastener element 22 downstream with a transportation amount for three pitches of the fastener element 22. As a result, the stitching process of the fastener element 22 may be more efficiently performed within a shorter time.

In addition, the fastener stringer 50 according to the third embodiment, which is manufactured by performing the aforementioned stitching process, may easily secure flexibility while increasing the dimensional precision of the fastener element 22, and further, improve even the abrasion resistance of the stitching line 52, similarly as the first embodiment described above, and the like.

Further, in the fastener stringer 50 according to the third embodiment, three rows of stitching lines 52 are disposed on the fastener element 22, and the stitches 53 formed on the respective rows of the first stitching line 52 a to the third stitching line 52 c are prevented from overlapping with each other in the width direction of the tape, and moreover, are disposed to, deviate from each other even in the longitudinal direction of the tape.

As a result, the first stitching line 52 a to the third stitching line 52 c may be made to look like the tape fabric having the larger width similarly as the case of the second embodiment described above. In addition, the fastener element 22 may be concealed by the first stitching line 52 a to the third stitching line 52 c, and the fastener element 22 may be made to be difficult to be seen from the outside. As a result, it is possible to make the first stitching line 52 a to the third stitching line 52 c exposed onto the fastener element 22 to be inconspicuous.

Further, as the configuration colored to the stitching line 12, and the like, is described in the first embodiment described above, the concealed slide fastener 1 a may be configured so that the color of the stitching thread 51 constituting the first stitching line 52 a to the third stitching line 52 c, the color of the fastener tape 20, the color of the fastener element 22, and the color of the core thread 27 are appropriately combined with each other, even in the configuration of the third embodiment.

Thus by considering the color in the stitching line 52, and the like, designability for the slide fastener manufactured by the configuration of the third embodiment may be improved and even designability for the clothes, the bag, and the like mounted with the slide fastener may be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   1 Slide fastener     -   1 a (Concealed) slide fastener     -   6 Upper stopper     -   7 Lower stopper     -   8 Slider     -   10 Fastener stringer     -   10 a Fastener stringer     -   11 Stitching thread     -   11 a Needle thread     -   11 b Looper thread     -   12 Stitching line     -   12 a First stitching line     -   12 b Second stitching line     -   13 Stitch     -   20 Fastener tape     -   20 a Tape main body portion     -   20 b Tape-side edge     -   21 Element row     -   22 Fastener element     -   23 Coupling head     -   24 Upper leg     -   25 Lower leg     -   26 Connecting portion     -   27 Core thread     -   30 Fastener tape     -   30 a Tape main body portion     -   30 b Tape bending portion     -   30 c Tape-side edge     -   40 Fastener stringer     -   41 Stitching thread     -   42 Stitching line     -   42 a First stitching line     -   42 b Second stitching line     -   42 c Third stitching line     -   43 Stitch     -   50 Fastener stringer     -   51 Stitching thread     -   52 Stitching line     -   52 a First stitching line     -   52 b Second stitching line     -   52 c Third stitching line     -   53 Stitch 

1. A fastener stringer for a slide fastener in which a fastener element having a continuity shape is sealed along a tape-side edge of a fastener tape by a stitching thread, wherein: at least two rows of stitching lines constituted by the stitching thread are disposed on one surface side of the fastener element in the longitudinal direction of a tape, the stitching lines has stitches in which the stitching thread stitches the fastener tape at least every two pitches of the fastener element in the longitudinal direction of the tape, respectively, and the stitches formed on the respective rows are disposed to deviate from each other in the longitudinal direction of the tape for at least one pitch of the fastener element between the adjacent rows.
 2. The fastener stringer according to claim 1, wherein: the stitching line includes a first stitching line and a second stitching line that are disposed in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the tape, the first stitching line and the second stitching line are disposed on one surface side of the fastener element sequentially from a coupling head side of the fastener element, the stitches formed on the respective rows are disposed every two pitches of the fastener element, respectively, and the stitch of the first stitching line is disposed to deviate from the stitch of the second stitching line by one pitch of the fastener element in the longitudinal direction of the tape.
 3. The fastener stringer according to claim 1, wherein: the stitching line includes a first stitching line, a second stitching line, and a third stitching line that are disposed in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the tape, the first stitching line, the second stitching line, and the third stitching line are disposed on one surface side of the fastener element sequentially from the coupling head side of the fastener element, the stitches formed on the respective rows are disposed every two pitches of the fastener element, respectively, and the stitch of the second stitching line is disposed to deviate from the stitch of the first stitching line and the stitch of the third stitching line by one pitch of the fastener element in the longitudinal direction of the tape.
 4. The fastener stringer according to claim 1, wherein: the stitching line includes a first stitching line, a second stitching line, and a third stitching line that are disposed in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the tape, the first stitching line, the second stitching line, and the third stitching line are disposed on one surface side of the fastener element sequentially from the coupling head side of the fastener element, the stitches formed on the respective rows are disposed every three pitches of the fastener element, respectively, the stitch of the second stitching line is disposed to deviate from the stitch of the first stitching line by one pitch or two pitches of the fastener element at one side in the longitudinal direction of the tape, and the stitch of the third stitching line is disposed to deviate from the stitch of the second stitching line by one pitch of the fastener element in the longitudinal direction of the tape and disposed to deviate from the stitch of the first stitching line by two pitches or one pitch of the fastener element at one side in the longitudinal direction of the tape.
 5. The fastener stringer according to claim 1, wherein: one of the stitches is disposed between the adjacent fastener elements.
 6. The fastener stringer according to claim 1, wherein: the number of the stitching threads pressing an upper leg of each of the fastener elements is larger than that of the stitching threads shown on the other surface side of the fastener tape.
 7. The fastener stringer according to claim 1, wherein: each of the stitching lines is configured by a dual circular rod of the stitching thread.
 8. The fastener stringer according to claim 1, wherein: colors colored to the respective stitching threads are differently combined in the stitching lines which are adjacent to each other.
 9. The fastener stringer according to claim 8, wherein: colors respectively colored to a needle thread and a looper thread constituting each of the stitching threads are differently combined.
 10. The fastener stringer according to claim 1, wherein: the colors colored to the respective stitching threads are the same as each other in the stitching lines which are adjacent to each other.
 11. The fastener stringer according to claim 8, wherein: the color colored to the stitching thread and the color colored to the fastener tape are differently combined.
 12. A slide fastener, wherein: a pair of fastener stringers according to claim 1 is provided at left and right sides thereof. 